CSR and the Frontline Context: How Social Programs Improve Customer Service

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Suggested Citation

Korschun, D., Bhattacharya, C. B., & Swain, S. (2016). CSR an der Kundenfront: Wie soziale Programme den Kundenservice verbessern. GfK Marketing Intelligence Review, 8(1), 24-29

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Year

2016

Authors

Daniel Korschun,
CB Bhattacharya,
Scott D. Swain

Publication title

CSR and the Frontline Context: How Social Programs Improve Customer Service

Publication

NIM Marketing Intelligence Review

Daniel Korschun, CB Bhattacharya and Scott D. Swain

CSR activities such as charitable giving, environmental programs and ethical practices can motivate frontline employees. One of the key variables is organizational identification. CSR communicates values, and, if these values are consistent with a person’s own value system, it results in higher identification with the company.

Employees who notice that consumers are fond of the company’s CSR activities will identify even more with the company. If CSR ranks high in their own personal value system and the value system of the consumer as well, they find common ground for conversations beyond immediate business talk. CSR can be an icebreaker in conversations with customers. Once service employees find out that customers share their passion for social or environmental causes, it creates a bond that is highly motivating. They become more confident that they know what the customers want. They are more motivated to serve those customers when they see that both of them care about the same sorts of things.

Authors

Daniel Korschun, Professor für Marketing, LeBow College of Business, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA, dek46@drexel.edu
CB Bhattacharya, Zoffer Chair of Sustainability and Ethics, University of Pittsburgh
Scott D. Swain, Professor of Marketing, College of Business and Behavioral Science, Clemson University, Clemson SC, USA, sdswain@clemson.edu

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